Monthly Archives: October 2014

As of July 1, 2010, pursuant to MCL 257.602b, ?a person shall not read, manually type, or send a text message on a wireless 2-way communication device that is located in the person’s hand or in the person’s lap, including a wireless telephone used in cellular telephone service or personal communication service, while operating a motor vehicle that is moving on a highway or street in this state.? In other words, you are not allowed to send text messages while driving. You are not even allowed to read text messages while driving. Distracted driving is dangerous and the Michigan Legislature has taken steps to punish those who needlessly endanger the lives of themselves and others.

Since its implementation, it appears that the statute has slightly curbed texting while driving in the state. The number of crashes involving a cell phone has decreased from 852 in 2009 to 681 in 2013. As you can see, however, texting drivers are still a danger to our motoring public and still cause for concern.

Take Steps to be a Safe Driver

While it is true that many of our young drivers are guilty of texting while driving (25% of drivers using cell phones are 20 years old or younger), experienced adults using cell phones while driving are even more prevalent. We all need to do better. Here are some things we can all do to avoid using our cell phones when driving:
Turn off the ringer ? it is easier to avoid the temptation if you cannot hear your cell phone ringing, buzzing, singing, chirping, or vibrating next to you.
Out of sight, out of mind ? put your phone in the back seat, in your purse, or in the glove box out of reach.
Advocate for safe driving ? encourage your family and friends to not text and drive and do not send text messages to individuals you know are driving.

Powers Chapman represents clients all over the State of Michigan. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision, call to speak with an attorney today. If you are not able to come to us, one of our attorneys will come to you. All you have to do is call or e-mail us now. (248) 643-6500

Medical malpractice occurs when a medical provider – a doctor, hospital, dentist, nurse, nurse’s aid, etc. – provides substandard care to a patient, which results in injury or death. Medical malpractice can occur in many forms, including but not limited to:

Failing to diagnose a patient’s medical condition, misdiagnosis

Prescribing the wrong medication

Failing to perform the correct diagnostic test

A delay in diagnosis

Surgical errors

Post-operative errors and infections

Failing to supervise medical staff members

Anesthesia error

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that there were 181,000 severe injuries attributable to medical negligence in 2003 alone and one study completed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimated as many as 98,000 people die every year as a result of preventable medical errors. More recently, a study published in the September 2013 issue of the Journal of Patient Safety suggests that the number of deaths associated with preventable harm in hospitals each year ranges anywhere between 210,000 and 400,000. The numbers are staggering and doctors and hospitals need to be held accountable for these harms that can be prevented.

Simply because there was a poor result, however, does not mean there was malpractice. On occasion, medical malpractice is obvious, but in the majority of cases there are complex medical issues which need to be thoroughly evaluated. It is important to consult with an experienced and qualified law firm to make sure your case is properly investigated. Many times, medical malpractice is not recognized by an attorney because the attorney lacks the expertise or fails to consult with the appropriate medical experts.

The current state of the law is not very favorable to malpractice victims in Michigan. There are specific legal and technical requirements for malpractice lawsuits, unique from any other type of lawsuit filed in Michigan. Because of these nuances in the law, you need an attorney who knows the law and who knows how to handle your specific case.

We all love our pets, especially man’s best friend. Unfortunately, dogs can be unpredictable and can cause serious and unsuspecting injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Many people believe that dogs are entitled to “one free bite,” but in Michigan, that is not the law.

The early and effective pursuit of a dog bite claim is essential to maximizing a dog bite victim’s financial recovery. POWERS CHAPMAN has achieved many six-figure verdicts and settlements for dog bite victims and will look to do the same for you. Call (248) 643-6500 to speak with an attorney experienced in dog bite injuries today.